November already?!
Points of Praise
Our writing focus this year using AsTTle has shown some big improvements in writing in both surface and deep features for almost all pupils.
Completion of the AtoL programme for 2009 and acceptance onto the 2010 programme.
Formation of a secondary numeracy cluster with MGS for 2010
A great staff culture and cohesion.
I can take a budget to the BOT next week that has a very small surplus on conservative numbers!
Our staffing is stable and we have attracted excellent, experienced teachers where we needed them.
Our enrolment numbers for 2010 have increased significantly.
We have had our roll increase finally approved which allows us to grow to 200 as classroom space permits.
Our builidng is almost ready to start...althought it was supposed to be ready by the end of the year.
The foresight and obedience of the people who have gone before us at school.
It's almost Christmas
For prayer
Our building actually getting started and continued funding for more buildings.
For the planning and timetables coming into place for 2010.
Wisdom and discernment as leaders with one or two situations bubbling along.
Amana CS
Report AMANA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL NOV O9 Roslyn King The Lord is continuinig to bless the School as our roll grows steadily. We now have 26 and other enquiries are in the pipeline.We are grateful for the Govt per Capita increase as this means that we can now employ 1.4 paid staff, thus giving me a few minutes to do admin. and planning. A number of our families cannot afford the school fees but we have never turned anyone away. In the future, when there will be need to pay a Principal/Manager, our budget will be even tighter but at the present time, volunteers enable us to keep the school functioning. We are rejoicing over the opening of the Amana Early Learning Centre in September. This has been planned for a number of years and finally started after a LOT of delays. We have a wonderful staff. Dale Neill is our Head Teacher/ Manager and is part of the 1% of male teachers in ELC education! We are praying that the numbers will grow so that the Centre soon becomes viable. The children and families enjoyed the "Good ol' Fashioned Sports Day" held in Millers Flat at the end of Term 3. As part of my role as Southern Co-ordinator, I had the idea, got the ball rolling and then left them all to it , going to Sydney instead to enjoy the dusty day and my new grandson who was born three weeks earlier than scheduled. The school term programme has been interesting and varied. It has included a visit to the YWAM ship in Otago Harbour, combined Athletics, swimming and visiting the ELC to assist with reading and music. German is being taught over the whole school by Thilo, a young man who is doing his German community service. We 'leant' him to SLCS for a week and he was so busy he didn't even go snow-boarding! Thank you for your prayers aand fellowship during 2009. This has truly been the "year of the favour of the Lord".
Ashburton CS
Points of praise
improvements above the national norms by 45 to 130% in Reading Comp, Vocabulary and Maths. Ask me about the use of scale scores in the new PATs. (A brilliant untapped resource because it measures pupil progres against the normed progress)
40 enrolments for next year. In the 2 hours I've sat in my offcie this morning there have been threee 'drive-bys '. Lot's of interest but many balk at the fees.
The fact that high interest and good results mean nothing compared to the call to be faithful to God with our gifts and resources. It is great to have such a school culture developing.
Financial support during our estabilshment phase - some very generous people!
Needs
Like Southern Lakes - Integration would give us financial security
Appointment of a new TIC of Yr 7 & 8 - new blood into the Network!!!
New developments in the DP:HOP role at ECS
Fantastic results with our 6 year-old nets again! 65% of our children at or above the National Standard
6 placings at the North West Zone Athletics Sports
Progress with the NZC
The involvement of the community in the design of our curriculum
The assistance of EPT in the articulation of the curriculum in terms of Special Character
Petitions
Further new appointments to staff
Restful holiday for everyone
Hillview CS
Points of Praise:
a) We have had wonderful success in the Australasian Competitions for English, Mathematics and Science
b) Some brilliant results at the recent zones athletics
c) 2010 will consummate one of our dreams to see Hillview have two classes at every year level.
d) Have made 6 new appointments for next year - some difficult positions to fill and God provided us with excellent staff.
e) World Vision - raised nearly $20 000
f) A motivated staff - real unity existing and morale is high.
g) Work completed on New Curriculum so far.
h) A pleasing E.R.O. report
i) The many examples of pupils living with servanthearts - eager to honour Christ.
Petitions
a) Wisdom and guidance for the future - to be using the wisest leadership model for our school
b) Raising $$ for our new community centre/gym
c) Being granted a roll increase before March 2010.
d) That we will align our plans with God's plan!
Liberton CS
Hi Everyone
I am (again) sorry to miss the meeting and fellowship with you all this week.My mum is lingering in this final stage of MND and I try to minimise being away from her as she is now in hospital level care which is not a nice place to be.
Praise the Lord LCS is running along very nicely whether I am here or not!I am blessed with a very supportive staff who keep me going as well as the school!
Our enrolments are looking positive for 2010 and if we can just attract a few more we will have enough to open a much longed for fourth classroom.
We hope to have our new adventure playground built very soon.
We have so much to give thanks for… excellent teachers, a wonderful school community, successful athletics, a gold award from World Vision, very good guest speakers/performers to the school, an awesome ski camp in term 3, positive work on the NZC, an inspiring NZACS conference and the list could go on… Blessings to you all,
Fiona Sizemore
Middleton GS
1.Enrolment season is now complete following Primary enrolments in August/September.Working towards a roll of 1200 with a waiting list of approximately 50 or 60 pupils.
2.Fiesta (school fair) held 30 October.$25,000 raised which is a 50% increase on 2008!
3.Performing Arts block construction gets underway in the holidays with the demolition of some buildings to prepare the site between the admin block and the old house.Expected to be complete early in 2011.
4.Staffing appointments are virtually complete with nine new full time staff and a number of part timers to cover our timetable needs for 2010.
5.Substantial work has been done developing the Middleton Grange School exemplary teacher model – this is to build shared understanding among the staff of agreed dimensions of an exemplary teacher in a Christian school setting.Whole school professional development will be offered around this in 2010.
6.A group of Year 9 Maths teachers will take part in the Numeracy project in partnership with Aidanfield in 2010.
Mark Larson
Principal
.
Nelson CA
Rangiora NL CS
Southern Lakes CS
Praise the Lord that we serve an unfailing, amazing God. We do have so much to be thankful for this year. The support we have enjoyed from the community and other Christian schools has been phenomenal and we appreciate all those who have helped us in any way.
Our students are thriving both educationally and in character and its a joy to see them flourish and grow. Although we have lost 2 students in the past 2 weeks, our numbers we have are looking constant, (this sounds like an oximoron!) and we have had at least 4 very positive enquiries for next year.
We have a fairly unique situation at our school, where our older children are using the ACE curriculum in a homeschooling kind of environment. They are doing excellent work in this field, and as a result a number of these pupil's friends have caught the vision for this kind of alternate way of being educated and have earnestly enquired about continuing their education with us for their last years of schooling.
We are still awaiting a decision from the MOE regarding our integration status, but are reasonably sure that the decision will be sooner rather than later. Some members of our Board had a very interesting meeting with Bill English recently. Mr English was reasonably impressed with our unique education situation and has since highlighted our school's position with the MOE.
I am just so grateful that we are in ultimately in God's hands and not in the hands of mere man. He knows the way ahead!
Tasman Bay CS
Tasman Bay Christian School
Come the end of the year we are giving thanks for ·A wonderful new classroom and library space that will be ready for 2010- achieved through the far sighted and wise provision of our proprietors. ·A fabulous group of Year 8 students moving on to secondary education- they have been great role models to the rest of the school. ·The hard work and many success stories teachers have been sharing about children who are achieving especially in reading and writing. ·Great unity with our local cluster and a stronger network developing with the Top of the South Christian Schools. ·Healthy roll growth.
Please pray for ·The current appointment for a Scale A teacher- this position has been readvertised ·An increase in our MRI to 100.
Timaru CS
As with everyone I am sure, this past term has flown past. We have a lot to be thankful for. This term the proprietors have given make renovated our staffroom and we now have a sink and a dishwasher!!
We are also very thankful that our provisional staffing has worked in our favour for the first time ever and we now do not have to spend time trying to find students to retain the teachers we have. Our roll numbers have jumped lately and we now have 79 students and are looking forward to crossing the 80 mark in a couple of weeks.
We are patiently waiting to confirm our accommodation for the school but are still trusting for the Watlington School site and continue to explore the expansion into year 9 and 10.
We continue to develop our curriculum for the coming year, it will be a work in progress.
We were all very excited to make it to the NZACS Conference, aside from the quality of the teaching we all enjoyed 'kicking-back' together and the reflective discussions which we could challenge each other in. I truly am blessed with an exceptional staff!
Personally I have enjoyed finished my second paper in my Masters and have developed a website on Christian Education-Busy term but very rewarding!
Points of Praise
Our writing focus this year using AsTTle has shown some big improvements in writing in both surface and deep features for almost all pupils.
Completion of the AtoL programme for 2009 and acceptance onto the 2010 programme.
Formation of a secondary numeracy cluster with MGS for 2010
A great staff culture and cohesion.
I can take a budget to the BOT next week that has a very small surplus on conservative numbers!
Our staffing is stable and we have attracted excellent, experienced teachers where we needed them.
Our enrolment numbers for 2010 have increased significantly.
We have had our roll increase finally approved which allows us to grow to 200 as classroom space permits.
Our builidng is almost ready to start...althought it was supposed to be ready by the end of the year.
The foresight and obedience of the people who have gone before us at school.
It's almost Christmas
For prayer
Our building actually getting started and continued funding for more buildings.
For the planning and timetables coming into place for 2010.
Wisdom and discernment as leaders with one or two situations bubbling along.
- improvements above the national norms by 45 to 130% in Reading Comp, Vocabulary and Maths. Ask me about the use of scale scores in the new PATs. (A brilliant untapped resource because it measures pupil progres against the normed progress)
- 40 enrolments for next year. In the 2 hours I've sat in my offcie this morning there have been threee 'drive-bys '. Lot's of interest but many balk at the fees.
- The fact that high interest and good results mean nothing compared to the call to be faithful to God with our gifts and resources. It is great to have such a school culture developing.
- Financial support during our estabilshment phase - some very generous people!
Needs- Like Southern Lakes - Integration would give us financial security
Questions:- A great ERO report
- Appointment of a new TIC of Yr 7 & 8 - new blood into the Network!!!
- New developments in the DP:HOP role at ECS
- Fantastic results with our 6 year-old nets again! 65% of our children at or above the National Standard
- 6 placings at the North West Zone Athletics Sports
- Progress with the NZC
- The involvement of the community in the design of our curriculum
- The assistance of EPT in the articulation of the curriculum in terms of Special Character
Petitionsa) We have had wonderful success in the Australasian Competitions for English, Mathematics and Science
b) Some brilliant results at the recent zones athletics
c) 2010 will consummate one of our dreams to see Hillview have two classes at every year level.
d) Have made 6 new appointments for next year - some difficult positions to fill and God provided us with excellent staff.
e) World Vision - raised nearly $20 000
f) A motivated staff - real unity existing and morale is high.
g) Work completed on New Curriculum so far.
h) A pleasing E.R.O. report
i) The many examples of pupils living with servanthearts - eager to honour Christ.
Petitions
a) Wisdom and guidance for the future - to be using the wisest leadership model for our school
b) Raising $$ for our new community centre/gym
c) Being granted a roll increase before March 2010.
d) That we will align our plans with God's plan!
I am (again) sorry to miss the meeting and fellowship with you all this week. My mum is lingering in this final stage of MND and I try to minimise being away from her as she is now in hospital level care which is not a nice place to be.
Praise the Lord LCS is running along very nicely whether I am here or not! I am blessed with a very supportive staff who keep me going as well as the school!
Our enrolments are looking positive for 2010 and if we can just attract a few more we will have enough to open a much longed for fourth classroom.
We hope to have our new adventure playground built very soon.
We have so much to give thanks for… excellent teachers, a wonderful school community, successful athletics, a gold award from World Vision, very good guest speakers/performers to the school, an awesome ski camp in term 3, positive work on the NZC, an inspiring NZACS conference and the list could go on…
Blessings to you all,
Fiona Sizemore
1. Enrolment season is now complete following Primary enrolments in August/September. Working towards a roll of 1200 with a waiting list of approximately 50 or 60 pupils.
2. Fiesta (school fair) held 30 October. $25,000 raised which is a 50% increase on 2008!
3. Performing Arts block construction gets underway in the holidays with the demolition of some buildings to prepare the site between the admin block and the old house. Expected to be complete early in 2011.
4. Staffing appointments are virtually complete with nine new full time staff and a number of part timers to cover our timetable needs for 2010.
5. Substantial work has been done developing the Middleton Grange School exemplary teacher model – this is to build shared understanding among the staff of agreed dimensions of an exemplary teacher in a Christian school setting. Whole school professional development will be offered around this in 2010.
6. A group of Year 9 Maths teachers will take part in the Numeracy project in partnership with Aidanfield in 2010.
Mark Larson
Principal
.
Our students are thriving both educationally and in character and its a joy to see them flourish and grow. Although we have lost 2 students in the past 2 weeks, our numbers we have are looking constant, (this sounds like an oximoron!) and we have had at least 4 very positive enquiries for next year.
We have a fairly unique situation at our school, where our older children are using the ACE curriculum in a homeschooling kind of environment. They are doing excellent work in this field, and as a result a number of these pupil's friends have caught the vision for this kind of alternate way of being educated and have earnestly enquired about continuing their education with us for their last years of schooling.
We are still awaiting a decision from the MOE regarding our integration status, but are reasonably sure that the decision will be sooner rather than later. Some members of our Board had a very interesting meeting with Bill English recently. Mr English was reasonably impressed with our unique education situation and has since highlighted our school's position with the MOE.
I am just so grateful that we are in ultimately in God's hands and not in the hands of mere man. He knows the way ahead!
Come the end of the year we are giving thanks for
· A wonderful new classroom and library space that will be ready for 2010- achieved through the far sighted and wise provision of our proprietors.
· A fabulous group of Year 8 students moving on to secondary education- they have been great role models to the rest of the school.
· The hard work and many success stories teachers have been sharing about children who are achieving especially in reading and writing.
· Great unity with our local cluster and a stronger network developing with the Top of the South Christian Schools.
· Healthy roll growth.
Please pray for
· The current appointment for a Scale A teacher- this position has been readvertised
· An increase in our MRI to 100.
We are also very thankful that our provisional staffing has worked in our favour for the first time ever and we now do not have to spend time trying to find students to retain the teachers we have. Our roll numbers have jumped lately and we now have 79 students and are looking forward to crossing the 80 mark in a couple of weeks.
We are patiently waiting to confirm our accommodation for the school but are still trusting for the Watlington School site and continue to explore the expansion into year 9 and 10.
We continue to develop our curriculum for the coming year, it will be a work in progress.
We were all very excited to make it to the NZACS Conference, aside from the quality of the teaching we all enjoyed 'kicking-back' together and the reflective discussions which we could challenge each other in. I truly am blessed with an exceptional staff!
Personally I have enjoyed finished my second paper in my Masters and have developed a website on Christian Education-Busy term but very rewarding!